Finger millet (Eleusine coracana)
Care, watering, light and tips for Finger millet on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Poaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Finger millet
Eleusine coracana, commonly known as finger millet or ragi, is an annual cereal crop belonging to the Poaceae family, prized for its nutritious grains and drought resistance. It features erect stems and distinctive terminal spikes with curved "fingers," which lend it its common name. It's an excellent choice for cereal gardens, educational plots, or as a cover crop in arid regions.
Native range
East Africa
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal growth and good grain production. Watering should be moderate, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, although it tolerates drought periods once established. It prefers well-drained soils, with medium to low fertility, and a slightly acidic to neutral pH. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to fungal root diseases.
How to save a dying Finger millet
- Warning signs
- Rolled leaves, dry tips, stunted growth. Pale or empty panicles.
- First aid
- Regular, deep watering, especially during flowering. Amend heavy soil for drainage.
- What kills it
- Prolonged drought during critical stages (flowering/grain filling). Waterlogged soils.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if water deficiency or poor drainage is corrected in time, before roots die.